About
Crassula ovata is a slow-growing, evergreen sub-shrub that reaches heights of up to 2 meters. It features thick, rounded leaves that are typically dark green and may have red margins. In late summer, this plant produces flat clusters of small, star-like flowers that can be white or light pink.
About the genus
Crassula encompasses a variety of growth forms, including succulent annuals, perennials, and both evergreen shrubs and sub-shrubs. These plants feature thick, fleshy leaves and produce small flowers that are either star-shaped or funnel-shaped, arranged in terminal clusters.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Loam
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- West-facing, South-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H2
Plant details
- Plant type
- Cactus Succulent, Conservatory Greenhouse, Houseplants
- Habit
- Spreading branched
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Spread
- 1-1.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 5-10 years
- Suggested uses
- Sub-tropical, Houseplants
- Native to
- S. Africa (Cape)
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow as a conservatory or houseplant in pots of cactus compost in full light. Water to keep lightly moist when in growth during spring and summer, very sparingly when dormant in winter. Apply a general liquid fertiliser monthly between spring and summer. See houseplant cacti and succulent cultivation for further advice
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed sown as soon as ripe or by offsets or by root, stem or leaf cuttings in spring
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to mealybugs, vine weevils and aphids
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free